Minecraft is a computer game world made of building blocks where students mine resources from the environment, create their own resources, build shelters, and much more. To get a better sense of what Minecraft is and to better prepare yourself to survive and thrive, check out these tutorial videos.
Sharing - goods, skills, space - virtual and real world collaboration
Achieving an interdependent goal in a virtual space - Possibly working as a cross-functional team
Empathy-inducing examinations of different points of view
Self-efficacy
Negotiation
Conflict resolution
Empathy
Leadership
Peer to peer teaching
Math
Spatial Visualization
Science & Social Studies
Understanding connections between raw materials and tools
Models of complex systems that players learn to manipulate
Habits of Mind
Creativity
Problem-solving
Drive for improvement
Reflection
Language Arts
Speaking/Presenting - each pair of students leads the class tip of the day or answers a FAQs
Written Communication
Writing a step-by-step tutorial
Writing and answering a faq
Learning to learn, learning about learning
Learn by doing
Learn from small failures
Learn from videos
Learn from partners
Architecture
Teacher Challenge(s)
Make a hidey-hole and survive 2 days and 2 nights
Early American Village - Imagine you are a group of 3 or 4 families, moving west from an established town to start your own. Create a village that includes: simple 1 or 2 room homes with a family farm, a common meeting place (building), and a public commons for your animals. Given enough time, you might consider adding paths, a school, a store, fences/gates, a mine, etc. Try starting from seed number -3414234582187284145.
What else does a small farm need? A small town?
What would a slightly larger town have?
Come up with roles for each pair (farmer, security, carpenter/contractor, miner, etc.)
Question - How can your village work better so everyone can succeed?
Question - Interdependence - How will your group work interdependently today?
Question - Skills - What skill will each of you try to master today?
Question - Problem-solving - What problems has your group faced? How did you solve them? What's one you haven't solved? How might you address it today?
Question - "Rules" - What rules or guidelines have your groups been following as you explore/learn?
Analyze the "rules" of the game - how realistic are they - such as needing ore and wood for a sword - watch the Thomas Thwaites video on building a toaster
Have them make paper from scratch - then have each group figure out something else they can make from scratch and do it - then have them make a list of what they would need and need to know to make something as basic as a pencil from scratch
Assessment
In survival mode, the game will provide immediate feedback
Their partners and fellow villagers will provide informal feedback
Each session will start with a reflection question designed to get the village discussing their progress and methods
Each village could create a short rubric or checklist for their group designed challenge
Thinking Space - MinecraftEd
Basic Skills to Master
Challenges n00bs
Challenges Intermediate
Challenges Experienced Minecrafters
Potential Village Problems
Ground Rules
Teacher Challenges
Student Crafted Examples
Mini Lessons
More to Consider
Assessment
Related Resources
Timeframe
Basic Skills to Master
Challenges - N00bs
Challenges - Intermediate
Challenges - Experienced Minecrafters
Potential Problems
How will your village deal with them?Ground Rules
Teacher Rules
Team Rules
What rules should there be? Why? Can you word them positively?
Rationale/Objectives
Teacher Challenge(s)
Student Crafted Examples
Mini Lessons
More To Consider
Assessment
Related Resources
Discussion Area